Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5677: Relating to the creation of the Pura Vida Municipal Management District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.

HB 5677 creates the Pura Vida Municipal Management District No. 1 in Mustang Ridge, Texas, to promote economic development, tourism, recreation, and public welfare within its boundaries. The bill grants the district authority to issue bonds for financing projects, impose fees and taxes on properties within the district, and use limited eminent domain to acquire property for district purposes. It explicitly states the district is intended to supplement, not replace, existing city services provided to the area. The district’s creation aligns with Texas Constitution provisions for special districts focused on public purposes like job growth, commerce, and community safety.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1343: Relating to the notice requirements of a data broker registration statement and Internet website.

SB 1343 requires data brokers (businesses that collect and sell personal data) to post clear, accessible notices on their websites or apps stating they are data brokers and explaining consumer privacy rights under Texas law. It also mandates specific details in registration statements, including the broker's contact information, categories of data processed, child data practices, and security breach history. The law applies to registrations filed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), directly affecting data brokers operating in Texas. These requirements aim to increase transparency for consumers about how their personal data is handled.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 437: Relating to the provision of inservice training on identifying abuse, neglect, and illegal, unprofessional, and unethical conduct in certain health care facilities and to civil and administrative penalties assessed for violations of statutes or rules governing chemical dependency treatment facilities.

SB 437 amends Texas law governing civil penalties for violations at chemical dependency treatment facilities. It requires courts and commissions to consider specific factors - including violation severity, facility history, ability to pay, and public safety risks - when determining penalty amounts, with a maximum daily penalty of $25,000. The bill also mandates that the state commission post updated penalty schedules online, ensuring they account for economic impacts on facilities. This law directly affects licensed chemical dependency treatment facilities and applies to violations occurring on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025).

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4281: Relating to a civil cause of action for fraudulent crowdfunding.

HB 4281 creates a new civil legal remedy for victims of fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns in Texas. It defines "fraudulent crowdfunding" as collecting donations with the intent to keep the funds instead of giving them to the intended recipient (the "donee"). Victims can sue to recover 125% of the stolen donations plus attorney fees, but the law only applies to cases occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations running crowdfunding campaigns who misappropriate funds, as well as those who are defrauded by such campaigns.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 171: Relating to the certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency and the duration of court-ordered treatment for a person with a chemical dependency.

HB 171 standardizes the medical certification process for individuals with chemical dependency requiring court-ordered treatment. It requires physicians to include specific details in examination certificates, such as the patient's treatment history and a clear opinion on whether dependency poses serious harm to the person or others. The bill mandates that courts commit eligible individuals to treatment facilities for a fixed period of 30 to 90 days, replacing prior flexible terms, based on either the patient's admission or clear evidence of dependency-related harm. This applies directly to people facing court proceedings under Texas' chemical dependency treatment laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 223: Relating to competitive requirements for a procurement by a municipality for lobbying, government relations, or similar services.

HB 223 exempts Texas municipalities from standard competitive bidding requirements when procuring lobbying, government relations, or similar services intended to influence state or federal lawmakers. This change applies directly to cities, towns, and counties that hire firms for advocacy work with government officials. The bill amends the Local Government Code to explicitly exclude these services from mandatory competitive procurement rules, creating a specific exception in Section 252.022(a)(4). The policy change took effect September 1, 2025, after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5670: Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 259; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5670 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 259, which directly affects property owners within its boundaries. The bill grants the district limited authority to acquire private property for public projects (via eminent domain), issue bonds to fund infrastructure, and charge property owners fees, assessments, or taxes. Key provisions include authorizing the district to build and maintain roads, storm drainage systems, and other utility infrastructure under state law. The district must hold elections to confirm its creation and elect directors, with all actions requiring consent from affected municipalities. This bill enables the district to finance and manage local infrastructure improvements directly impacting Montgomery County residents.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2765: Relating to the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program and the Texas economic development fund.

HB 2765 creates a new financial assistance program for rural economic development in Texas, targeting counties with populations under 200,000 and municipalities with under 50,000 residents. It allows these entities to receive funds for land development, attracting private businesses (like manufacturing, warehouses, and mineral extraction), and improving water, waste, or transportation infrastructure. The bill also specifies that the Texas Economic Development Fund must be dedicated exclusively to administering economic development programs focused on rural manufacturing, agricultural exports, and small business initiatives. The program became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and the governor's desk.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 426: Relating to Medicaid and child health plan program coverage and reimbursement for childhood cranial remolding orthosis.

HB 426 requires Texas Medicaid and the Child Health Plan to fully cover the cost of a custom head device (cranial remolding orthosis) for children with specific head shape conditions. It applies to children with premature skull fusion (craniosynostosis) or children aged 3 months to 18 months with a flat or asymmetrical head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly) who have not improved after two months of non-surgical treatment and meet documented head measurement standards. The coverage must be at least as comprehensive as for other orthotic devices under Medicaid. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1667: Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files; authorizing a fee.

SB 1667 standardizes the process for individuals seeking to expunge arrest records under specific eligibility criteria (Article 55A.053(a)(2)(A) or (B)). It requires petitioners to provide detailed personal information (full name, date of birth, arrest details, and a comprehensive list of agencies holding their records) when filing for expunction. The bill also authorizes a fee for this process, which will be collected by district clerks. This law, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects Texas residents with eligible arrest records who wish to clear their records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4559: Relating to the repeal of an unused definition and a chapter heading formerly regulating membership dues.

HB 4559 repeals an unused definition and a chapter heading in Texas Government Code Chapter 668, which previously regulated membership dues. The bill removes outdated language from the law that has not been applied or enforced for some time. This is a procedural cleanup measure with no new requirements or direct impact on residents or organizations. The repeal takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as noted in the bill's passage history.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1737: Relating to service retirement benefits payable by the Employees Retirement System of Texas to certain law enforcement officers and custodial officers.

SB 1737 clarifies and expands the definitions of "custodial officer" and "law enforcement officer" for retirement benefits under Texas' Employees Retirement System. It adds specific categories of correctional and juvenile justice positions to the "custodial officer" definition, including those with direct contact with inmates or youth in facilities. It also clarifies which law enforcement officers, including those from agencies like the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, qualify for retirement benefits. These changes ensure more officers in these roles can receive retirement benefits based on their service. The bill requires agencies to certify these officers to the retirement system.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results